Expert: Martin Meyer - 11/20/2008

Question
I am trying to install a new 340-020 movement.  I have the movement in the case and have alligned the hammers to the rods.  I wound the movement and encountered two problems.
(1) The movement is not working.  The escapement appears to almost be frozen and will not move freely.  Is there something holding it in place for shipping safety?
(2) The clock hands are not quite right.  My clock is chiming about five minutes after it should, how do I adjust this?

Thank you for any help that you can lend

John

Answer
Hi John,

New 340-020 movements do have a protective shipping bracket. This is an inverted U-shaped steel piece which is attached to the top of the movement, and goes over the balance wheel assembly to protect it. There are two slots cut in it, and these slots fasten to the movement plate. You remove it by simply pulling it straight off. Be careful not to damage the balance wheel when you do this.

The minute hand for your clock has a bushing for adjustment. At the center of the hand is a circular or hexagonal piece with the square hole which fits onto the hand shaft. This piece is riveted onto the minute hand, but can be turned to adjust the hand to point exactly to the :12, :15, :30 and :45 points when the clock chimes.

To perform this adjustment, insert a square-side awl or small screwdriver in the square center hole. Hold the minute hand tightly near its base, and turn the screwdriver or awl, so that the bushing turns, thus changing the orientation of its square center hole. Be careful not to bend or break the minute hand as you do this. The bushing will usually be quite tight, but will turn with enough effort. If the bushing is not tight, and turns very easily, you should set the hand on an anvil and give the bushing a couple light taps with a small hammer to tighten it up. After adjusting, put the hand on its shaft and turn it to see if it correctly lines up with the chime point. This is a very precise setting, so it will almost certainly take several adjustments to get the hand perfectly in synch with the chime.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com